Rama criticizes world leaders: "Speeches to fight climate change do not change anything"

2024-11-13 12:15:00, Politikë CNA

Rama criticizes world leaders: "Speeches to fight climate change do not

The head of the Albanian government, Edi Rama, is in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he participated in the Summit of world leaders for climate action.

In his speech, he did not fail to criticize the states, saying that they are not doing enough to fight climate change.

The Prime Minister has expressed that more work and commitment is needed, beyond the beautiful speeches from world leaders.

"I decided to put aside my well-prepared speech because since yesterday I could see the muted television screens in the lounge of the leaders where the organizers had thought carefully to add green plants on the comfortable couches.

People there eat, drink, meet and take pictures together. While footage of muted speeches from the leaders keep popping up in the background. To me, this seems like exactly what happens in the real world every day.

Life goes on with its old habits and our speeches are full of good words to fight climate change that don't change anything," said Rama.

The Prime Minister drew attention to the statement of the Secretary General of the UN, which emphasized that carbon emissions have increased. He expressed pride that, according to him, Albania has 100% renewable energy production.

"Even worse, as the Secretary General of the United Nations pointed out yesterday, carbon emissions have actually increased this year from last year's COP to this year instead of decreasing, and ambitious targets are also being pushed back once in a world that is increasingly perverted and deeply divided.

I come here from a small country in the middle of Europe, Albania, where we are proud to have 100% renewable energy production. But what does it mean for the future of the world if the biggest polluters continue their work as usual?

Far be it from me to lecture anyone, since after all we are used to being lectured, not to others, but what I am saying is what the hell are we doing in these meetings one after another, if there is no common political will on the horizon to go beyond words and come together for meaningful action. And what's worse, some big and small actors even boycotted this annual event.

What does this mean?

For a long time, we Albanians lived under the curse of a cruel history that left us in complete isolation without any individual rights, without any freedom of movement, without any hope for the future. While recently we are blessed with the society of the European Union and for the first time in our history freedoms, individual rights, dreams and hopes have become part of our lives, but what is happening in Europe and in the world today does not leave much space for optimism and why optimism is the only way of survival that we Albanians know.

While my silent image appears on the silent screens of the beautiful reception hall behind this room, I want to conclude by mentioning a story from Anas bin Malik, may God be pleased with him - (I'm a Catholic by the way) - i who narrated that the Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him), said that "If the Day of Judgment comes, while one of you has a seedling in his hand, if he can plant it before it comes, then let him plant it" ", said Rama.

The summit of world leaders on climate action in Baku precedes the 29th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP29)./ CNA